Ministry of Foreign Affairs Confirms Death of Ghanaian Evacuee at Kotoka International Airport Following Flight from South Africa

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially confirmed the tragic passing of a Ghanaian citizen who died shortly after arriving at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Wednesday, August 14, 2026. The individual was part of a group of 50 Ghanaian nationals being evacuated from South Africa. The group arrived on an Air Tanzania flight that touched down at approximately 5:50 pm, marking what was intended to be a safe return home for the evacuees before the unexpected medical emergency occurred.

According to official reports from the Ministry, the passenger began experiencing severe health complications approximately 30 minutes before the aircraft landed in Accra. Upon the flight’s arrival, a standby medical emergency team immediately intervened to provide life-saving assistance. Despite these prompt medical efforts and the presence of emergency protocols at the airport, the individual’s condition deteriorated rapidly. The evacuee was tragically pronounced dead at 6:55 pm, just over an hour after the flight reached the tarmac.

In the wake of this unfortunate event, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condolences and stated that it is currently in the process of notifying the deceased’s family. While the specific cause of death has not yet been publicly disclosed, the incident has highlighted the critical role of airport emergency services in managing in-flight medical crises. The Ministry has not indicated any further health risks to the remaining 49 evacuees who arrived on the same flight, and the repatriation process for the group is expected to continue under the guidance of relevant state authorities.